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Parent Checklist
The following timeline will help you prepare for your child's education. Remember, it is never too early to begin planning.

Elementary School
  • Start saving for college as early as possible.
  • Explore College Savings Iowa and other options for saving for college.
  • Show an interest in your child’s learning activities and continue those activities at home
Middle School
  • Encourage your child to develop strong study habits.
  • Ask your guidance counselor about which high school courses will best prepare your child for college.
  • Assess career interests and post-high school options. Each eighth-grade student now is required by the State to develop a curriculum plan that maps out the classes needed through high school and into college. The Iowa College Student Aid Commission, Iowa Department of Education, and Iowa Student Loan provide web-based software free of charge to every Iowa middle and high schools.  The IHaveaPlanIowaTM on-line career and educational planning program helps students identify educational goals and track their progress through college.
  • Continue saving for college.
9th & 10th Grade
  • Help your child investigate career possibilities. The career and education plan started in middle school should be used during high school to achieve career goals. The IHaveaPlanIowaTM on-line education plan (portfolio) started in middle school can be carried with the student to high school.
  • Meet with the school counselor to map out your child’s high school curriculum and learn about the college admissions and financial aid process.
  • Help your child research colleges and narrow the options.
  • Request information on scholarships and financial aid from colleges.
  • Continue saving for college.
11th Grade
  • Decide which colleges most interest your child; contact these colleges for applications, admission requirements, financial aid information, and deadlines.
  • Visit the colleges your child is most interested in attending.
  • Register for the PSAT, ACT and SAT.
  • Investigate the availability of financial aid from federal, state, and local resources.
  • Continue saving for college
12th Grade
  • Explore local scholarship opportunities. (Many local scholarship applications are available through your high school counselor.)
  • Fill out college applications and mail by due date.
  • Send PSAT, ACT, and SAT test scores to the appropriate colleges.
  • Submit your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) before July 1. (Many colleges/universities have earlier priority deadlines. Check with the college.)
  • Compare financial aid packages from different colleges/universities.
  • Decide which college your child wants to attend.
  • Create a budget to determine how much you will owe (if anything) to the college/university after all financial aid has been applied towards education expenses.
  • Send in your tuition deposit.